Novels by Cindy Chen

As the smoke began to dissipate, revealing the chaos of the decimated lab, Jack's enhanced vision honed in on Patrick, a formidable figure even in his wounded state. Blood trickled down Patrick's forehead, mixing with the grim determination and seething anger in his eyes. His breath came in ragged gasps, a testament to the intensity of their struggle."You think you can defeat me like this?" Patrick's voice reverberated through the chamber, his words dripping with contempt as he advanced towards Jack. "I won't let you win, Jack!"With a sudden burst of speed, Patrick lunged forward, his armored form hurtling towards Jack with frightening velocity. Jack barely had time to react, his instincts kicking in as he braced himself for the impact.The clash was thunderous, the force of Patrick's charge slamming into Jack like a battering ram. They grappled fiercely, each trying to gain the upper hand in the brutal melee. Jack's muscles strained against the weight of Patrick's armor, his mind r

Jack's situation was dire. He lay on the cold floor, pain radiating through his body, Ashley's bloodied form just out of reach. His vision blurred and darkened at the edges, but he wasn't ready to give up. He knew he had one last trick up his sleeve.With a barely noticeable movement, he activated the communication implant Jill had embedded in his arm. It was a last-resort device, meant for emergencies only. Jack whispered urgently, his voice barely a breath, "Jill, now!"Even though it looked like he was talking to himself, he knew Jill was listening. His eyes briefly met Patrick's smug gaze before he summoned all his remaining strength. With a sudden, almost inhuman burst of energy, Jack leaped high into the air, his body propelled by the advanced tech Jill had provided.He soared upwards, smashing through the ceiling and creating a gaping hole. Dust and debris rained down as the astonished guards and Patrick stared up, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief. The room fell s

Patrick, sensing a slight tremor of control slipping from his grasp, attempted to regain his dominance with a sneer. "You think you're clever, don't you, Jack?" he jeered, his voice echoing off the cold, stone walls of the lair. "But you're just bluffing. We both know what happened the last time you tried to fight alone. You lost, and you lost badly. Look around you. My men guard every corner of this place with the highest vigilance. There's no help coming from Jill or anyone else. You think you can fool me? I anticipated your move, and I've made sure it won't happen."Jack's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he fixed Patrick with a steely glare. "You talk too much, Patrick," he retorted, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. His confidence was unwavering, a stark contrast to the villain's bluster.Without another word, Jack launched himself into action with a burst of explosive energy. His movements were a blur, honed by years of training and battle-hardened experience. He b

As Jack's cries of anguish reverberated through the glass chamber, something within him snapped. A surge of adrenaline and sheer willpower coursed through his veins. His eyes, still wet with tears, hardened with a new determination. He strained against the metal restraints with every ounce of strength he possessed, the cords of his muscles standing out in stark relief against his skin.The glass walls seemed to close in on him, but Jack refused to accept defeat. With a roar of pure rage, he wrenched his arm free from one of the metal bindings, the steel groaning under the force of his fury. The other restraints seemed to tighten in response, but Jack was beyond pain now. He tore at the remaining bonds, his breath coming in ragged gasps.The guards outside the chamber stared in shock, their initial disbelief giving way to alarm. The sight of Jack breaking free sent a wave of panic through them."What's happening?" one of the guards shouted, his voice tinged with fear.Patrick's smug ex

Jack watched intently as the guards began to unfasten the restraints binding Ashley to the chair. Every movement seemed to drag in slow motion, his heart hammering in his chest. Despite her weakened state, Ashley managed to shake her head weakly, her voice a mere whisper, carrying the weight of her desperation. "No, Jack," she pleaded, her eyes wide and glistening with tears. "Please, just go. Leave me."Jack’s determination was unshakeable. He shook his head firmly, his jaw set in a hard line. "Ashley, you have to go now," he insisted, his voice steady and resolute, cutting through the tense atmosphere like a blade. He knew there was no other option if she were to have any chance at freedom.Ashley remained in the iron grip of the guards, her strength all but spent. Her eyes, though filled with despair, still bore into Jack’s with a silent plea, a plea he could not heed. She understood the depth of his resolve but felt the crushing weight of helplessness. Her body slumped slightly as

As Jack was escorted further into the heart of The Golden Apple's new stronghold, the dimly lit corridors seemed to close in around him, suffocating him with their oppressive atmosphere. The guards flanked him on either side, their eyes boring into him with a mixture of suspicion and contempt.Patrick stood at the end of the hallway, his presence commanding and his demeanor oozing with arrogance. His arms were crossed over his chest, and a smug smirk played at the corners of his lips as Jack was brought before him."Well, well, if it isn't our obedient little errand boy," Patrick sneered, his voice laced with disdain as he regarded Jack. "Coming here unarmed, all for the sake of the traitor who betrayed you. How noble of you, Jack."Jack's fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms as he struggled to contain his rising anger. He knew Patrick was trying to provoke him, but he refused to take the bait. Instead, he focused on the urgency of the situation at hand."Wher

The silence that followed was not empty—it was heavy, like the aftermath of thunder on a battlefield, thick with the weight of things unsaid and truths too long buried. The runes beneath their feet pulsed faintly with a fading rhythm, as if the stone itself was trying to remember.Then Aelion spoke, his voice cutting through the stillness like a blade through silk. Low. Measured. Grim.“There’s more you must understand, Calen. Much more than what you’ve been told.”Calen turned to face him, the shadows playing across his features. His jaw was tight, eyes storm-dark, but attentive.Aelion took a slow step toward the edge of the rune circle. The ethereal blue glow danced along the hem of his silver cloak, throwing ghostly reflections against the obsidian walls.“Aerondale…” he began, his voice nearly a whisper, “nearly destroyed us. Not with numbers. Not even with strength. But with knowledge.”He glanced at Calen, his gaze sharpened like steel drawn under fire.“They used what they had

Calen’s voice broke through the silence again—quieter than before, but heavy, as if each word had to push through a lifetime of unanswered questions.“Then… how did my father die, exactly?”The question echoed faintly within the ancient chamber, swallowed slowly by the glowing runes that pulsed beneath their feet like the heartbeat of something sleeping—something dangerous.Serenya turned to him, her expression softening. There was something in her eyes—grief, yes, but also reverence. Respect. Even guilt. She drew in a breath, then let it out in a slow, pained exhale.“He used everything he had,” she said. Her voice was quiet, but unwavering. “His strength, his sword, his life… all of it. He gave everything to seal this place. To lock Tharstan away before his wrath could burn the world to ash.”She stepped forward, her boots making no sound against the smooth stone, and approached the edge of the platform. There, the vast ring of runes shimmered in a spectral glow, pulsing gently bene

Serenya and Aelion exchanged a glance—heavy with memory, grief, and something more elusive.“It began,” Serenya said slowly, “with your father.”Calen’s brows knit. “What?”Aelion stepped forward. “Your father… was among the first envoys sent from Aerondale. His mission was simple, or so it seemed: to serve as a diplomatic gesture. To live among us. To learn our ways. But more specifically… to train the daughter of King Tharstan in the art of combat.”Calen’s breath caught. “The daughter of the king…?”Serenya gave a faint, sad smile. “Her name was Elira. Princess Elira Tharstanis. The fairest soul in all of Drakhtarion. Her beauty was known across the realms—silver hair like moonlight, eyes as deep and endless as the ocean. But it wasn’t just her beauty that captured hearts… it was her strength. Her wisdom. Her kindness.”Aelion nodded solemnly. “And your father fell in love with her. Against all odds, against all the rules.”Calen stepped back, stunned. “Are you saying…?”“Yes,” Ser

Aelion’s torch cast shifting golden light across the ancient stone corridor as they descended deeper into the heart of Drakhtarion’s hidden sanctum. Calen’s boots echoed against the polished obsidian floor, each step amplifying the tension coiling up his spine. The deeper they went, the thicker the air became—dense and laced with a sharp, metallic tang, like the breath of a slumbering beast.They emerged into a vast chamber carved directly into the mountain’s core. The arched ceiling soared high above, ribbed like the hollowed bones of some forgotten god. Dormant magic thrummed in the air, vibrating faintly beneath their skin, as if the mountain itself remembered.Calen slowed, then stopped.The prison was not made of iron or stone.It was a monument.Towering columns formed a circle around a central pit inscribed with glowing runes—draconic script etched into the earth, pulsing with a deep crimson light. Chains, thick as tree trunks and forged from an iridescent alloy unlike any meta

The moon hung low over Drakhtarion, casting long shadows through the crystalline arches of the High Spire. A hush had fallen over the city, broken only by the occasional cry of nightbirds circling far above the towers.Calen stood near the central window of the observatory, unmoving. The night wind tousled his dark hair as he stared into the distance—toward the invisible thread tugging at him again. It was back.That pull.It had come before—subtle, fleeting—during the evening meal with Serenya and Aelion three nights ago. He had dropped his goblet mid-sentence, breath catching in his throat, overcome by a strange warmth in his chest. At the time, he had said nothing, brushing it off as fatigue from the communion rites.But now?Now it burned.A pressure beneath his sternum. A whisper at the edge of hearing.Her.The girl. The pendant.He couldn’t explain it—only that he knew she was real, and she was in danger. And the pendant was not done with him.The heavy wooden door creaked open

The fire crackled louder now, like a living thing stirring awake—its flickers dancing against the stone walls of Liora’s cottage, casting strange, twitching shadows. Outside, the wind howled against the wooden shutters, as if protesting the silence that had settled between the two women.Carmen sat stiffly by the hearth, her shoulders tense, her eyes fixed on the pendant resting in the cradle of her palm. The light it gave off had dimmed since the storm—no longer a blinding beacon, but a steady, pulsing glow. Like a heartbeat. Like the slow, deliberate thump of something ancient… something watching.Liora stood nearby, arms folded tight across her chest. She hadn’t said a word in minutes. She was studying the pendant too, but her expression held no curiosity now—only unease.Then, quietly, she spoke.“There’s still a way out of this.”Carmen blinked, startled from her trance. “What?”Liora nodded toward the fire. “Get rid of it. Throw it in. Or bury it. Drop it in the well, smash it w

Calvin’s body convulsed violently.It was no longer just pain—it was a raging inferno surging through his veins, a firestorm that started in his throat and tore through his chest like molten glass. Every heartbeat pounded like a war drum inside his ribcage, echoing with suffering. The venom wrapped around his lungs like barbed wire, crushing every breath into a gasping, agonized wheeze. His limbs jerked uncontrollably, flailing with no coordination. He collapsed onto his knees, the cold surface beneath him offering no comfort—only a cruel reminder that his body was failing him.The edges of his vision darkened, like shadows creeping in from another world. Black spots swirled in his eyes, and every blink became a desperate attempt to hold onto consciousness. His breath caught in his throat, dry and burning, each inhale like trying to swallow shards of broken glass.Then came the System’s voice—distorted, flickering, broken like a glitched recording.[Warning: Internal system disruption

The night air felt cold, piercing Calvin's skin even though his body was wrapped in a thick, warm blanket. The chill came from a dream slowly dragging him back to a childhood he had nearly forgotten.In his dream, Calvin stood in the hallway of his old house. The white walls had begun to yellow, and the carpet on the floor looked worn. He heard the soft laughter of his younger self, probably around seven years old. Moments later, he saw little Calvin running around aimlessly before he collided with a young woman carrying a cup of tea."Calvin, don't run around the house! It's dangerous if this hot tea spills on you," the woman gently scolded. Her face was warm. Her hair was loosely tied back, and her eyes looked at Calvin with a tenderness that always made him feel safe.Mom... adult Calvin whispered in his heart. His blood rushed at the sight of his mother and hearing her voice again—the voice that had long disappeared from his memory—filling his chest with a tight, aching longing."

A subordinate knelt before President Lee, the supreme leader of Han Xin, who sat on his throne and looked down at the man with a haughty expression. “What news do you bring me this time?” he said mockingly.The atmosphere in the room was suffocating and tense, filled with the cruel aura that emanated from President Lee—even when the tyrant wasn’t committing any atrocities.“Forgive me, my lord. Calvin is still alive, and he survived the plane crash with ease,” the man explained timidly.President Lee’s face immediately hardened. His eyes darkened, and his fists clenched tightly. “You couldn’t even kill a cockroach?” he hissed sharply. “Are you sure you did your job properly?”The subordinate didn’t dare answer directly. He bowed even lower, almost as if trying to disappear into the floor. His knees trembled violently, and cold sweat began to drip from his temples. His breath was ragged, unable to bear the burning gaze of President Lee. His courage shrank to nothing—even though the Pre

Destroyed buildings from the war greeted Calvin at every step as he walked through the city of Bacca. Debris was scattered everywhere. Barrion—his homeland—was now free from the tyrannical rule of Han Xin... but the remnants of destruction were overwhelming.Calvin's steps halted at a vast field, once known as the city center. Around him, nothing remained but rubble and charred pillars. His eyes swept over the scene, his expression difficult to read."I'll start by rebuilding the houses and structures in this area first," Calvin said."Please do, Sir," replied the President, who stood not far from him, nodding respectfully and giving Calvin the space to do as he wished.Without a word, Calvin stepped forward. He knelt down, pressing his palm against the ground. Instantly, the earth trembled, compacted itself, and began to rise, forming solid buildings with supernatural precision. Wooden elements emerged from the soil, weaving into walls, rooftops, and sturdy pillars, creating rows of

The plane began to shake more violently. Emergency alarms wailed incessantly, making the atmosphere even more tense. Passengers—including two government representatives from Barrion—screamed, some cried, others clung to their seatbelts as if they could save them from death.Meanwhile, Calvin remained calmly seated, though his body shook along with the turbulence. His eyes focused on the window, then on a flight attendant who ran past the cabin aisle in panic.“The cabin's losing pressure! Navigation system failure!” came the pilot’s voice from the cockpit.Calvin slowly stood, walking toward the front, keeping his balance with effort.“Open the door,” he ordered sharply upon reaching the cockpit.“We’re trying!” The co-pilot looked pale. “The main engine is completely dead, we—”“If we panic, we die. Stick to the plan. You head toward the nearest airport for an emergency landing. I’ll help as much as I can—just focus on landing the plane safely.” Calvin stared at the wildly blinking s

Calvin’s name suddenly exploded across various social media platforms. A clip of him calmly but devastatingly shutting down the shareholders' arguments during yesterday’s meeting went viral and trended within hours. What impressed the public the most was how Calvin managed to leave Kevin Lang completely speechless after enduring a series of insults. People began praising Calvin even more as a medical god with the heart of an angel.Meanwhile, far from the media spotlight, Kevin was sitting in a treatment room at Lang Hospital. His hands trembled as a nurse finished reattaching his severed pinky. The pain from Calvin’s brutal and unexpected act of cutting off his finger was unbearable—but the most excruciating pain wasn’t in his finger. It was in his pride. Kevin’s ego was shattered by the fact that he had to go to Calvin and beg him to return the severed piece.“This is all that bastard Calvin’s fault, Dad!” Kevin growled, his voice shaking with emotion. “He dared to humiliate me—me,

The light of the full moon envelops the room with a magical glow, creating a magical and serene atmosphere. Moonlight gently kissed Nola's face which was tense with pain. I stood by her side, my right hand holding hers tightly, conveying warmth and strength from every touch. But the healers want me outside, so I have to go out.“Arghhh!! It hurts!" she cried, the sound of the night's silence interrupted by a cry of pain. The healers forbade me from entering the room, and I could only hear moans and screams from behind the door. Anxiety swept through my heart, I couldn't wait to hear news about Nola's condition.Suddenly, a healer came out of the room and approached me.“My King, you can come in and accompany the Queen,” he said to me.I went into the room and held Nola's hand. Nola held my hand tightly, her eyes staring at the ceiling of the room filled with darkness. Deep moans escaped her lips every time a contraction hit. The light of the full moon, even though it couldn't enter th

That morning, the sunlight played games with the leaves, creating a magical blend of shade and golden glow. The fresh scent of flowers and herbs wafts in the clean air. It was as if nature itself was participating in celebrating this historic moment.The once simple assembly hall now sparkles in the splendor of natural jewels. Folded flags made of silk fluttered brilliantly, and decorations made from dried leaves and fresh flowers decorated every corner of the room. The light from the shining totems reflected the colors of life, implying a new awakening of their power.A moment before the sunlight reached its peak, I came to Nola who was getting ready in the preparation room. The soft light from the crystal chandelier reflected a beautiful glow on her dress made from natural materials, giving her an aura of stunning elegance.When she turned around to see me, her sweet smile filled the room. "Ares," she said in a soft voice that seemed to wash away my nervousness. "You shouldn't have

In an increasingly debilitating state, my voice broke in the reflection of the vibrations of light around us. Light flashed, creating an invisible yet powerful energy network. "I won't give up, even though my body feels increasingly fragile. I won't let you be trapped in this darkness, Nola," I said with trembling determination. The words seemed to be a mantra, strengthening my will even when my body could barely support itself.The Shadow Diamond Totem, glowing with fading black light, spoke in a voice filled with urgency. "Ares Jones, we don't have much time. We have to hurry. Nola needs us.""The Grand Healing Totem's light is starting to fade," she added, her voice filled with determination but sounding fragile. "We have very limited time, Ares Jones."Deep anxiety welled up within me, making me realize that not only these totems were on the verge of destruction, but also Nola and my own life. However, I knew I couldn't give up. It is my mission to reunite Nola's divided soul. Des

The dream just disappeared, fading into endless darkness, and Nola seemed to disappear from my field of vision. I remained asleep, without dreams or images haunting my mind. My body responded deeply to rest, immersing me in an undefined dream world. Abstract images awaken and disappear over an immeasurable span of time. Nola, as if closely linked to the dream world, moved far from the horizon of my mind, disappearing in the surrounding darkness.As morning approached, the sun's rays seeped in through the thin curtains, painting streaks of light on the walls of the tent. I woke up slowly, thrown back into the real world. Rex stood tall by Nola's side, his eyes reflecting a deep worry, hinting at thoughts hovering over the worst possible possibilities."How is she doing, Rex?" I said in a voice that was still hoarse, following the footsteps of the dreamland I had just grasped.Rex looked at me sincerely, his eyes filled with deep worry. “She is still in a weak state; there are no signi

The aroma of spices and herbs filled the air when my eyes opened. My body felt heavy as if all my energy had been drained. Gathering the power to repair The Shadow Diamond Totem was indeed a tiring task.Beside me, Mora stood with a concerned look. "Ares, you are lucky to have survived. But don't underestimate your strength. Don't forget your own limits," he said in a soft voice, hand holding out a healing potion. It tastes bitter but immediately brings freshness to my body."Thank you, Mora. It feels like I was born again," I said with a faint smile.Mora smiled softly. "You will be fine, Ares. The entire tribe is grateful for your sacrifice," she said, her eyes shining with respect."Where is The Shadow Diamond Totem?" I demanded, my curiosity peaked.Mora looked at me warmly. "She is resting in the Shadow Totem Tribe's temple. She needs time to recover her strength from all this."She went to tell the others that I had woken up. Not long after, Toth Karan and the totem warriors ent

In the chaotic battlefield, with magic explosions and echoing groans, I stood before The Shadow Diamond Totem who kept screaming. Her body swayed, trying to break free from the totem warrior's bindings, but her strength only depleted further.I realized that in a state like this, where she was still conscious and twitching wildly, it was very difficult for me to repair her totem codes. My concentration must be stronger than before. However, I can't watch her continue to suffer like this."Get some more blood, we need her weaker!" I ordered several nearby totem warriors. They responded swiftly, opening buckets of blood and meticulously watering The Shadow Diamond Totem. Every drop of blood entered her body, producing the desired effect.However, the woman's desperate screams still roared, filling the battlefield. Bil, with tense eyes, found his courage. "She has to pass out, Ares. We need you completely focused," he said, trying to calm himself and decide on that bold move. I nodded fi